Russian invasion of Ukraine

[Churchlawtonblue]

The scary part is how badly does it have to be going before he decides if he can’t have it, nobody is going to want it…and starts obliterating it?

Fingers and toes crossed it never gets that bad and common sense prevails.

He has a way out, but it’s a propaganda nightmare…

Declare the emergency action to protect Russians in Ukraine a success and turn around and leave the country, while holding onto the Donbas & Crimea. Declare victory and heap praise on the brave forces that helped protect Russians.

Does he have it in him to de-escalate, ir does he only understand escalation to secure his goals, even if it cuts his nose off to spite his face?

I hope that after piling on the pressure, the western powers will offer him a diplomatic way out.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

That in itself is a very worrying hope though isn't it. What does a somewhat mad, power-crazy despot do prior to being overthrown? A man who has killed or had killed tens of thousands of people without so much as a sigh.

Worrying? Possibly.

The man is just a man, and the system that gives him his power is designed to ensure the success of the entity (Mother Russia) not the individual.

Once the tipping point is reached, the man who thought he had the power often finds out it was borrowed, not owned.

Whether that’s the case with Putin, we don’t know yet.

 

[KS55]

New dog, house extension or even a baby was most peoples lockdown project. Putins is invading Ukraine, absolute dickhead

I'm not overfond of dogs, house needs no extension as there are only two of us, and since we are in our seventies a baby is out of the question. So, I think I will invade Wales.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

It was/is but many members, including Germany, have never got anywhere near it.

Germany has had an underfunded, poorly equipped 'peace keeping' army for decades. That's about to change.

Agreed.

But, you shouldn’t get kudos for getting a round in once every three trips to the pub!

 

[marco]

does anyone know how the weapons are going to get to the conflict zones as most of the cities seem surrounded or at least part surrounded and how soon would they have access to them,that Russian convoy wants taking out asap

 

[mosssideblue]

Well I hope the politicians and diplomats have some ideas up their sleeves because Putin withdrawing all his forces and just saying "Oops, sorry about all that", is just NEVER happening.

There has to be a way for him to sell this as being at least somewhat successful, or else this is going to end as badly as anyone could imagine it ending.

Maybe throw him Ukraine not joining Nato for the next 25 years or something. Anything he can portray as a success. But he needs something.

I know what you are saying but I cannot agree with the solution you suggested. Ukraine are a free Sovereign state and are able ( or should be able) to manage their own affairs as they see fit. Giving in to Russian demands undermines everything they stand for, and I hope they hold there own in these discussions and tell Russia to do one

 

[Northblue]

Fuck sake it’s missing the Allen key again

 

[Hayley Croppers chopper]

I'm not up for a debate about this (I'm not knowledgeable enough) but I think if this resolves peacefully Britain should re-join the EU and take a leading role in massively building up EU military conventional defenses.

I didnt have a vote but I tended towards Brexit. I've completely changed my mind after this.

Why ?
NATO is made up of the EU and the UK plus the yanks and seem to be doing just fine.

 

[DrBlueBob]

I'm not overfond of dogs, house needs no extension as there are only two of us, and since we are in our seventies a baby is out of the question. So, I think I will invade Wales.

Perfect timing too, nobody is looking that way currently. You could have it done and dusted by teatime.

 

[grunge]

2% of GDP was supposed to be a requirement of being a NATO member!

Just a guideline that was introduced in 2006 by the look of it. if they were under 2% they needed to be moving towards that.

Funding NATO

Allies make direct and indirect contributions to the costs of running NATO and implementing its policies and activities. NATO common-funded budgets and programmes are funded by direct contributions and equate to only 0.3% of total Allied defence spending, an equivalent of around EUR 2.5 billion...

www.nato.int